Testosterone pellets: an option for testosterone replacement therapy

If you’ve got low testosterone, you might be feeling all sorts of symptoms—fatigue, low libido, maybe even depression. You probably want to fix this, and fast. 

Testosterone replacement therapy isn’t for everyone, but it might be a good option for you. It comes in a few different forms, one of which is testosterone pellets. Keep reading to learn all about this often preferred form of boosting testosterone. 

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Testosterone pellets (brand name Testopel®) are used in testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for treatment of hypogonadism, known as “low T” (low testosterone). Each plastic pellet contains 75 mg of crystalline testosterone. The pellets are placed subcutaneously, below the surface of the skin. Pellet implantation is done through a small incision, usually in the skin of your hips. There, the pellets slowly release testosterone into your body for three to six months.

Testosterone pellets have been used in the United States since 1972, when they were approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (McCullough, 2014). But they’re not a widely used form of TRT in this country. Most healthcare providers prescribe topical testosterone gel for TRT. Other forms of treatment include testosterone injection, gum (buccal) patches, oral tablets, and nasal gel.

Dosage for testosterone pellets

The FDA recommends dosing three to six pellets (225-450 mg) every 3–6 months for hypogonadal men. For some men, a higher dose of testosterone may be necessary. Some studies show that a dose of 10 pellets (750 mg) produces better results. The dosage can depend on your weight as well. Thin men may require a lower dosage, while heavier men may require a higher dosage to achieve the right hormone levels (McCullough, 2014).

Advantages of testosterone pellets

According to a study that looked at different forms of TRT, men are about equally satisfied with testosterone injections, gels, and pellets. But pellets do have certain advantages over other forms of TRT (Kovac, 2014):

• Pellets may be considered more convenient and easier to use than gels and injections.

• The slow, steady release of testosterone means you’ll likely experience fewer mood swings and changes in your level of energy.

• There’s no danger of the subcutaneous testosterone rubbing off on others, as there is with testosterone gel. This can be a real concern if you’re in physical contact with women and children, as they might suffer serious side effects if they come into contact with testosterone gels.

Disadvantages of testosterone pellets

While testosterone pellets have a lot of advantages, they’re not used as often as gels or injections. This is because they come with some disadvantages (McCullough, 2014; Endo Pharmaceuticals, 2020): 

• You’ll need to visit a healthcare provider’s office to have the pellets implanted.

• The insertion site may be painful.

•  If it’s necessary to take the pellets out, removal is difficult.

• There are rare cases of extrusion, where the pellets work their way out of the skin.

Healthcare providers may prescribe TRT for men who are diagnosed with low testosterone levels. This is usually defined as levels below 300 ng/dl (Mulhall, 2018). But it’s important to bear in mind that normal testosterone levels change throughout your life. Levels of testosterone peak at around age 19 and then gradually decline over the years. So a level considered low for a 20-year-old might be considered normal for a man of 70.

Symptoms of low testosterone

Symptoms of hypogonadism, or low T, include (Mulhall, 2018):

• Low energy

• Fatigue

• Depression

• Reduced motivation

• Decreased sex drive (low libido)

• Changes in the ability to get an erection 

Does TRT work?

There’s a fair amount of evidence that, in men with hypogonadism, TRT improves sexual desire, erectile function, and sexual satisfaction (Ponce, 2018). One large-scale review also found through-the-skin (transdermal) TRT slightly increased muscle mass (Skinner, 2018).

Potential risks and side effects of TRT

As one of the two main male sex hormones (androgens), testosterone is a potent drug. The effects of testosterone are felt in almost every one of your body’s systems. The possible side effects of TRT include infertility, shrinking of testicles, acne, oily skin, raised cholesterol levels, and an increase in breast size. 

Although it hasn’t been proven, TRT may also increase risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and stroke, heart disease, prostate cancer, increase in number of red blood cells, and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (Grech, 2014).

If you think you might have low testosterone, follow the medical advice of your healthcare provider.

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Every article on Health Guide goes through rigorous fact-checking by our team of medical reviewers. Our reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the writer.

Current version

March 09, 2021

Written by

Alison Dalton

Fact checked by

Steve Silvestro, MD

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About the medical reviewer

Steve Silvestro, MD, Ro

Dr. Steve Silvestro is a board-certified pediatrician and Associate Director, Clinical Content & Education at Ro.